Mrs BRAHAM - 1996-11-19
A number of members attended the cricket match held recently in Alice Springs between the West Indies and an invitation XI. They will agree with me that it was indeed a great success, not only for the development of cricket but also for the many young students who travelled many miles with their teachers to watch the match. What is the future for events such as this recent cricket challenge?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, last Tuesday was a very special day, particularly for people of central Australia ...
A member: And some parents.
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Mr HATTON: And some parents. The West Indies cricket team played against a Northern Territory invitational XI. This is not the first time a visiting international team ...
Mr Bell: You have to declare your personal interest here, Steve.
Mr HATTON: I am being very careful to avoid that.
This is not the first time a visiting international team has been to Alice Springs. It is developing as part of a program. Games have been played in Alice Springs with Sri Lanka, England A, Pakistan and last week, of course, the cream of the crop, the West Indies.
Mr Bell: What were the boy's figures?
Mr HATTON: 3 for 24 off 10. Having placed that on the record ...
Mr Stirling: They are hardly the cream of the crop, are they?
Mr HATTON: Without question, the West Indies would be regarded as the cream of the crop of those who have visited Alice Spring to date.
It was a very special day in Alice Springs, particularly given that the Boon testimonial game was being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the same time and a number of the West Indian players were under some pressure to attend that testimonial match at the MCG. To the West Indies' credit, and Clive Lloyd's credit in particular, the entire West Indian touring party went to Alice Springs. They participated in a coaching clinic on the Monday, along with many senior players in the Northern Territory invitational side, some of whom have covered themselves with glory over the weekend in the Australian XI game against the West Indies in Tasmania. I think more than 100 students attended. Some 4500 spectators attended the game, including about 1200 schoolchildren from far and wide in central Australia. I understand that about 1000 people from the Tennant Creek and Barkly region travelled to Alice Springs for that game. Many of the kids came from outlying communities and gained a great opportunity to obtain coaching and exposure to cricket. I believe that it will do much to promote the development of cricket in central Australia and has the potential to develop cricket in a number of the Aboriginal communities, particularly in the central Australian region.
What was evidenced throughout the 2 days that the Windies were in town was the spirit of friendship. It was an opportunity for the Windies to relax away from normal hype of world cricket. I know, from speaking to some of the greats - Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall and others - that they were extremely impressed with the congenial nature of central Australia. Most importantly, they want to come back. I cannot stress enough the value of the West Indians visit when it comes to spreading the word about what Alice Springs has to offer. The Central Australian Cricket Association, and in particular Bruce Walker, did a fantastic job in organising the week. The evening before the match, a dinner was held under the stars at Deep Well, a nearby cattle station. The fantastic one-day match was played on a very well prepared Traeger Oval, with the chance for team members to mix freely, without pressure, with children and supporters and to enjoy a feeling of belonging. I know that the Windies have taken away irreplaceable memories.
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I am assured that the West Indies team management will recommend the Alice to other international teams looking to tour Australia. The government will work with the Northern Territory Cricket Association to see if the Ansett Australia Invitational Challenge can become a regular part of the summer of cricket in central Australia. As I said, the Alice has been very fortunate already in having other international teams play there. Games with the likes of New Zealand and South Africa could be on the agenda in the near future. We may see such events on a 2-yearly basis in central Australia. It would be a great opportunity for exposure to cricket at world standard, and a great opportunity to promote sport and sports tourism development in central Australia.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, last Tuesday was a very special day, particularly for people of central Australia ...
A member: And some parents.
Page 1766
Mr HATTON: And some parents. The West Indies cricket team played against a Northern Territory invitational XI. This is not the first time a visiting international team ...
Mr Bell: You have to declare your personal interest here, Steve.
Mr HATTON: I am being very careful to avoid that.
This is not the first time a visiting international team has been to Alice Springs. It is developing as part of a program. Games have been played in Alice Springs with Sri Lanka, England A, Pakistan and last week, of course, the cream of the crop, the West Indies.
Mr Bell: What were the boy's figures?
Mr HATTON: 3 for 24 off 10. Having placed that on the record ...
Mr Stirling: They are hardly the cream of the crop, are they?
Mr HATTON: Without question, the West Indies would be regarded as the cream of the crop of those who have visited Alice Spring to date.
It was a very special day in Alice Springs, particularly given that the Boon testimonial game was being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the same time and a number of the West Indian players were under some pressure to attend that testimonial match at the MCG. To the West Indies' credit, and Clive Lloyd's credit in particular, the entire West Indian touring party went to Alice Springs. They participated in a coaching clinic on the Monday, along with many senior players in the Northern Territory invitational side, some of whom have covered themselves with glory over the weekend in the Australian XI game against the West Indies in Tasmania. I think more than 100 students attended. Some 4500 spectators attended the game, including about 1200 schoolchildren from far and wide in central Australia. I understand that about 1000 people from the Tennant Creek and Barkly region travelled to Alice Springs for that game. Many of the kids came from outlying communities and gained a great opportunity to obtain coaching and exposure to cricket. I believe that it will do much to promote the development of cricket in central Australia and has the potential to develop cricket in a number of the Aboriginal communities, particularly in the central Australian region.
What was evidenced throughout the 2 days that the Windies were in town was the spirit of friendship. It was an opportunity for the Windies to relax away from normal hype of world cricket. I know, from speaking to some of the greats - Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall and others - that they were extremely impressed with the congenial nature of central Australia. Most importantly, they want to come back. I cannot stress enough the value of the West Indians visit when it comes to spreading the word about what Alice Springs has to offer. The Central Australian Cricket Association, and in particular Bruce Walker, did a fantastic job in organising the week. The evening before the match, a dinner was held under the stars at Deep Well, a nearby cattle station. The fantastic one-day match was played on a very well prepared Traeger Oval, with the chance for team members to mix freely, without pressure, with children and supporters and to enjoy a feeling of belonging. I know that the Windies have taken away irreplaceable memories.
Page 1767
I am assured that the West Indies team management will recommend the Alice to other international teams looking to tour Australia. The government will work with the Northern Territory Cricket Association to see if the Ansett Australia Invitational Challenge can become a regular part of the summer of cricket in central Australia. As I said, the Alice has been very fortunate already in having other international teams play there. Games with the likes of New Zealand and South Africa could be on the agenda in the near future. We may see such events on a 2-yearly basis in central Australia. It would be a great opportunity for exposure to cricket at world standard, and a great opportunity to promote sport and sports tourism development in central Australia.
Page 1768
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016